Penguin parents celebrate Valentine's Day

Penguin parents have been serenaded with violins and fish supper to celebrate Valentine's Day.

A pair of Gentoo penguins at the National Sea Life Centre in Birmingham celebrated their love for each other with a special performance by a violinist from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

The two penguins became parents last year and have been raising their young chicks Hulk and Dumpling, but lacked the time for romance due to the demands of parenting.

Now Arabel and Pablo - the penguins - were treated with a special date to celebrate Valentine's Day, but the rest of the colony followed to see what the fuss was about.

Jonny Rudd, Curator at the National Sea Life Centre, said: "Every parent knows it's hard to get time alone once a little one comes along.

"With Valentine's Day being so close to the start of breeding season it was the perfect opportunity to treat our dedicated penguin parents, in the hope we can encourage another successful period of breeding."

The two chicks are the first to hatch at the centre as part of the global breeding programme.

Royal Birmingham Conservatoire student and violinist Markéta Nádvorníková said: "Students at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire get to play in some of the world's greatest venues, but this is certainly the most unique place I've performed in!

"I am delighted to have played my part in creating such a special Valentine's Day for the National Sea Life Centre's infamous penguins and hope that my performance has helped reignite a spark ahead of breeding season."